Volunteers' Visit to Sanjay Camp on 23rd Dec 2012

On 23rd Dec 2012, a group of CRY volunteers visited the newly established CRY PAG (Public Action Group) at Sanjay Camp. Objectives of the visit were:

1. To assess quality of education imparted to children by schools in the region.

2. To learn about teaching related problems faced by children studying in schools in the region.

3. To learn about status of distribution of winter uniform in MCD schools in the region.

Children with whom we interacted ranged from small kids coming regularly to the center for playing to grown up children studying in class 3. In total they were 16 in number, out of which 6 study at MCD schools, 5 study at private schools, 1 takes private tuition as substitute for school and 4 are small enough to attend school. To assess knowledge of the students we distributed a sheet, having counting exercises, to them. Most of the children were able to finish the exercises correctly by themselves; few who could not were supported a lot by their friends around. It was great to see spirit of collaborative learning among the children.

The children were quite amicable and eloquent. They mixed up with volunteers easily and, when asked about teaching related problems faced by them in their respective schools, they responded sincerely. Except for 2, all children getting education somewhere (school or tuition) were happy with their teachers. One of the exceptions was a boy who was taking private tuition as substitute for school. He told that his teacher beats him even for trivial issues, such as, looking around at time of study. Another exception was a girl going to private school. She told that during her classes, her class-teacher is busy throughout in talking over mobile, so she gets little to learn from the teacher, rather school. We tried to get opinion of rest 10 students, who were going to study somewhere (school or tuition) and were happy about teaching facility there, about being beaten by their class teachers. They all believed that it is usually their mistake which causes teacher to beat them and that punishment for their mistake will urge them not to repeat the mistake.

Then we moved ahead to our third objective and inquired the children studying in MCD schools about whether they received winter uniform or money in lieu this season. All 6 such students had received winter uniform or money in lieu. In fact, 5 had received uniform and 1 who got money in lieu purchased uniform using the money. It was great to learn about this fact amidst regular news of delay in winter uniform distribution at MCD schools.

Authors: Jayanti Bhatia, Divyanshu